"During the isolation, we have not lost our previous level"

Angelina Melnikova, winner of two gold and one silver medals at the 2025 World Championships, returned to Moscow from Jakarta on Monday morning. At Sheremetyevo airport, she was greeted by an orchestra and a crowd of journalists. The correspondent of Izvestia and Sport-Express talked with the leader of the Russian national team about emotions during the tournament, immediate plans and popularity of gymnastics.

There was a specific food in Jakarta, everything was quite spicy

— What did success in Indonesia mean to you?

— I felt a sense of pride, first of all, that our gymnastics had not lost its previous level during the isolation. It remains not only competitive, but also gold.

— There have been many publications about your victories in our sports information field. Can gymnastics be called the number one sport in Russia in recent days?

— While I was in Jakarta, I disconnected from the media sphere. But my mom wrote to me.: "No matter what channel you switch to, gymnastics is everywhere." Therefore, I hope that her popularity was on the same level.

— Did you feel the support of our fans?

— Everyone was supportive. Since our suspension, everyone has been closely monitoring what will happen to our gymnastics. This is a very important moment. The support is inspiring.

— Another Russian medalist of the 2025 World Cup, Daniel Marinov, said that the first thing in Russia would be "slamming borscht." What are your wishes?

"It's the same for me. There was a specific food in Jakarta, everything was quite spicy. I miss our climate. I don't really like hot weather, especially when the humidity is high. I feel uncomfortable under such conditions. It's better cold than hot.

— What are your plans now? Are you planning a vacation?

— Now I'm going to Voronezh, my hometown. I'm going to see my parents, my beloved coach, she's really waiting for me. Then I will return to Moscow to the base, I will prepare for club competitions in Germany. I'll perform there and then take a vacation.

Jakarta on the table: the World Cup in Indonesia was the triumph of Angelina Melnikova

Daniel Marinov, the new leader of the men's national gymnastics team, brought another medal to Russia.

I will call the medal in the all-around the most valuable.

— Would you like to compete at the 2028 Olympics?

— Yes, I hope that my health will allow me and everything will be fine. I would like to perform there.

— But we were going to retire...

— Probably, the opportunity to participate in international competitions gave me additional emotions, strength and a new impulse.

— Do you believe in the reality of what happened at the 2025 World Cup?

— To be honest, I don't really believe it yet. I still remember the emotions of the all-around final, when I saw the number "1" next to my first and last name. I still don't think I realize what happened. I'll need some time.

— What impressions did Jakarta leave as a city?

— In two weeks, we visited the mall twice and the swimming pool once. That's it. The rest of the time we walked from the hotel to the training base.

— Which medal became the most valuable?

— All-around. Because she was the most emotional, the most unexpected, the first.

— Did Svetlana Khorkina congratulate you this time?

— Yes, of course. She sent a whole video.

"What was there?"

"Just her emotions. She always wishes me good luck before competitions, and is very supportive of me. In that video, she talked about her emotions and congratulated on her victory.

— Did any other famous gymnasts write or congratulate you?

— Yes, Alexey Nemov and Aliya Mustafina.